Effect of Training on Balance and Gait We found highly significant interaction effects for the Mini-BESTest, F (1, 89) = 15.49, P = .001, gait velocity, F (1, 88) = 7.19, P = .009, and step length during normal walking, F (1, 88) = 7.90, P = .006 ( Table 2 , Figure 2 ), representing a significant improvement over time in the training group by 3 points, 0.1 m/s, and 0.04 m, respectively ( P < .001), while no statistical difference occurred in the control group.
In particular, although not significant, the training group showed an increasing trend in physical activity (6%), while the control group, in line with the progressiveness of PD, 48 showed a declining trend (12%).
Introduction Parkinson’s disease (PD) leads to the deterioration of gait and balance abilities, 1 a negative trend of falls and injuries, 2 fear of falling, 3 a decline in physical activity, 4 , 5 and decreased quality of life. 6 Pharmacological treatment is the first-choice therapy for PD; however, despite optimal medical management, individuals with PD still experience balance impairments. 7 Therefore, to prevent balance-related problems and to facilitate the maintenance of a physically active lifestyle, effective nonpharmaco-logical strategies such as novel exercise regimes need to be established for PD.